This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Greek Chicken Thighs recipe has a simple seasoning and cooks in a cast iron skillet, making cleanup easy. The lemon brings a light, crisp flavor and the kalamata olives provide a touch of saltiness. It’s a quick, one pan dinner perfect for a weeknight!
Hello everyone! My name is Taryn and I run a gluten free recipes blog at Hot Pan Kitchen where I create gluten-free recipes for families who don’t want to feel restricted by eating gluten free foods. I’m so excited to be here sharing this this really flavorful and fast recipe with you and wanted to thank Meghan for letting me come do so!
I love recipes that only require one pan to make them – less dirty dishes! This Greek Chicken Thighs recipe fits that bill and is great when you need something quickly on a weeknight.
Before we get into it, first let’s answer a couple of questions since there may be some of you who are wondering “why not use chicken breasts?”
Why Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts?
Chicken thighs are typically a more forgiving cut of meat. They have a higher fat content so aren’t as liable to become dry the way chicken breasts can when overcooked. They are also usually more inexpensive than breasts so provide a good budget option.
Are Chicken Thighs White Meat or Dark Meat?
Chicken thighs are dark meat, due to a higher amount of a certain type of protein called myoglobin. Myoglobin provides oxygen to the muscles when a chicken needs to move around, which they do with their thighs and legs instead of their wings as they are (mostly) flightless birds. The breasts aren’t needed for as much movement, requiring less myoglobin and making breasts a whiter meat.
Okay, now that that’s done, let’s get to the recipe.
How to Make Greek Chicken Thighs
Start with a cast iron skillet – it will be better for getting a bit of a sear on the chicken. Warm it up over medium heat then add 2 tablespoons of a high heat oil into it. I prefer avocado oil, but canola or vegetable oil will also work.
Next up you’ll want to make the seasoning. It’s very simple but has a great flavor. Take a small dish and add in the kosher salt, garlic powder, oregano, and ground black pepper into it, then mix well to combine. Set it aside while you get the chicken all prepped.
How to Prep Greek Chicken Thighs
Prepping the chicken thighs on a large piece of aluminum foil is great because it can double as a splatter guard for the skillet! Place the foil on the counter and lay out the chicken on top. If you see any large pieces of fat you want to cut off, now is the time to do so.
Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture on top of the chicken. Now we’re ready to fry them up a bit.
How to Fry Greek Chicken Thighs
Place the thighs in the warmed skillet with the seasoned side face down into the oil. Dust the chicken with the rest of the seasoning (careful not to get splattered by oil!), then place the aluminum foil on top of the skillet and cook for 4 minutes.
Once those 4 minutes are up, flip the chicken over (use a pair of tongs for this) and cook them for another 4 minutes.
While the chicken is frying in the pan you’ll want to prep the rest of the ingredients. Slice the kalamata olives into fourths (I like to make long, thin pieces), dice the tomatoes, and slice the lemon.
How to Finish Cooking the Greek Chicken Thighs
After the second round of 4 minutes are up, pour the chicken broth into the pan, followed by the kalamata olives and diced tomato. You’ll want to disperse the olives and tomato around the chicken, not on top of it.
Place one lemon slice on top of each chicken thigh and bring the broth mixture to a boil (this should not take long at all). Reduce the heat to low, then cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
That’s it – so easy! It’s a great meal for a weeknight and would be so good paired with Pita Bread or Crispy Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Potatoes.
If you’re looking for more great weeknight meals, check out some of the following on my site:
- Weeknight Paleo Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Swimming Rama Loaded Sweet Potato
- Lemon Thyme Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Or here on Fox and Briar:
If you try this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it below! And I’m sure you’re already following Meghan on Instagram, but I would love it if you would follow along with me on Instagram too! I post recipes, kitchen tips, and ways I’m trying to teach my kids to cook.
Recipe for Greek Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons high heat oil like avocado or canola
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs about six
- 3 ounces pitted kalamata olives
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1 lemon
- ½ cup chicken stock
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of a high heat oil (like avocado or canola).
- In a small dish, measure out the kosher salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Mix it together until well combined then set aside.
- Place a medium-to-large piece of aluminum foil on the counter and lay the chicken thighs out on top of it. If necessary, use a sharp knife to carefully cut away any large pieces of fat on the thighs.
- Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture onto the tops of the chicken thighs, then use a pair of tongs to place them (seasoning side down) in the heated skillet. Sprinkle the remaining seasoning on the back sides of the thighs, then cover the skillet with the aluminum foil to reduce splatter.
- Cook the thighs for 4 minutes on one side, then flip them over with the tongs and cook for 4 minutes on the other side. While the chicken is cooking, use a knife and cutting board to slice the kalamata olives into fourths, dice the tomatoes, and slice the lemon (removing any seeds).
- Once the chicken thighs have finished cooking on the second side, remove the foil, pour in the chicken stock, and spread the olives and diced tomatoes into the pan around the chicken. Place a slice of lemon on top of each chicken thigh, then bring the mixture to a boil (this will not take long). Turn the heat to low, then cover and cook for 10 minutes. The thighs will be done once the internal temperature has reached 165°F. once done, garnish with parsley (if desired), then serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
